Portable auxiliary unit for mobile audio player

ABSTRACT

A portable auxiliary unit for coupling with a mobile audio player is disclosed. The auxiliary unit provides both auxiliary power input and auxiliary audio output for the player, as well as a protective casing in the form of a receiving cup open on a top side. The receiving cup provides access to inputs and outputs on the audio player accessible by cabling from the auxiliary unit installed when an access panel is opened. The auxiliary unit has an integral rechargeable battery pack and a speaker assembly connectable to the audio player via the cables.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally auxiliary or rechargable power supplies, and more specifically, to rechargeable power supplies for mobile audio devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mobile audio players are ubiquitous and can come in many forms. They may come in the form of, for example, a cell phone, an MP3 player, or even headphones. While these players may have various other uses, mobile audio players, as described herein, all have the ability to output an audio signal. Some simply provide an audio output jack, while others have a speaker. Most have an internal rechargeable power source such as a lithium ion battery. However, both the power source and the speaker (if included) are typically of limited utility. For example, the sound quality from a standard smart phone would not be acceptable to entertain a large room of people or a backyard party, and the audio player power would wear down broadcasting at full volume for long.

Auxiliary power packs and rechargeable power supplies exist that couple with mobile audio players to increase their playback/operation time. But this does not solve the issue of sound quality. To achieve good sound quality and longer playback from a mobile audio player in an environment where line power is not convenient or not available (e.g., a backyard, a park, a beach, etc.), one needs both a rechargeable power supply and an auxiliary speaker assembly for amplified and improved sound.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention constitutes a unique design that provides the utility of rechargeable power as well as enhanced audio output for a mobile audio device. The design further provides protection for the audio device through encapsulation in a housing. In some embodiments, the invention teaches a portable auxiliary unit for coupling with a mobile audio player, the auxiliary unit comprising a rechargeable battery pack, a speaker assembly, an audio connection cable for connecting the speaker assembly to an audio plug, a power connection cable for connecting the rechargeable battery to a power plug, and a receiving cup positioned over the rechargeable battery pack and speaker assembly. The receiving cup may comprise a seat for a non-integral mobile audio player, and a wall extending upward to at least partially encapsulate the mobile audio player when the audio player is nestled in the receiving cup. The wall may have an access port through which the audio plug and the power plug can extend. The plugs can be accessed through an access panel having a closed position and an open position. Other embodiments and features will be understood in connection with the below figures and description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention can be better understood with reference to the following figures. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a portable auxiliary unit for a mobile audio player, where the unit's access panel is in a sealed configuration.

FIG. 2 is an elevated view of the portable auxiliary unit showing a housing for the mobile audio player.

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded view of the portable auxiliary unit, showing the unit's access panel opened to reveal connection cables, and showing the housing cup in isolation.

FIG. 4 is an elevated view of the portable auxiliary unit with the access panel open showing connection path to a mobile audio player.

FIG. 5 is a partially exploded view of the portable auxiliary unit taken from a side view, illustrating various internal components.

FIG. 6 is a partial section view of the portable auxiliary unit taken from the front side.

FIG. 7 is a partial section view of the portable auxiliary unit taken from the rear side.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The description that follows describes, illustrates and exemplifies one or more particular embodiments of the present invention in accordance with its principles. This description is not provided to limit the invention to the embodiments described herein, but rather to explain and teach the principles of the invention in such a way to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to understand these principles and, with that understanding, be able to apply them to practice not only the embodiments described herein, but also other embodiments that may come to mind in accordance with these principles. The scope of the present invention is intended to cover all such embodiments that may fall within the scope of the appended claims, either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of an exemplary portable auxiliary unit 100, in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention. The portable auxiliary unit (which may also be called “auxiliary unit” or simply “unit” herein), may come in a variety of different sizes, shapes, and configurations to accommodate different forms of mobile audio player. As shown herein, the exemplary unit has been developed to support an Echo Dot™ device made by Amazon®. However, it will be understood from the figures and description how the auxiliary unit could be reconfigured (primarily by forming the receiving cup 160 in a different shape) to accommodate a variety of other types of mobile audio players.

As shown in FIG. 1, the exemplary auxiliary unit 100 rests on a base stand 170 at its bottom and has a receiving cup 160 at its top. As illustrated more clearly in FIG. 2, the receiving cup 160 is configured to receive a mobile audio player, in this case, audio player 200. Specifically, as illustrated, receiving cup 160 features a seat 162 on which the audio player 200 rests when installed, a cylindrical wall 164 that forms a perimeter round the outside of the audio player 200, and a lip 166 that extends outward from the top of the cylindrical wall 164. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the lip is used to support the receiving cup 160 at the top of the portable auxiliary unit 100 by resting on the upper portion of the outer casing 180. Thus, when audio player 200 is installed in the receiving cup 160, the cup encapsulates the audio player on all but its open top surface, and provides protection from impact, as well as some protection from moisture and dust. Additional protection may be provided by placing a lid over the receiving cup (not shown) to fully encapsulate the audio player 200.

The outer casing 180 extends from the lip 166 of the cup 160 down to the base stand 170, thereby forming an outer perimeter (side walls) of the auxiliary unit 100. At its top is a frame ring 180 to provide structure prior to assembly of the cup 160. The outer casing 180 may be made of various materials, but should allow for the clear passage of sound. In some embodiments, the casing may simply comprise a frame wrapped in a fabric or plastic mesh material. As shown on FIG. 1, the outer casing is interrupted at the front side of the unit 100 by an access panel 150 and a user interface 110. The user interface 110 features a power button 120 for powering on or off the auxiliary unit 100, a fixed audio input slot 130, and a fixed power input slot 140. The fixed audio input slot 130 is for receiving audio input from an external source other than audio player 200, such as, for example, a different type of mobile audio player. The fixed power input slot is to receive line power (stepped down via an adapter) for use in recharging the internal rechargeable battery pack 142.

The access panel 150 provides access to the controls of the audio player 200, specifically, audio player power input 205 and audio player audio output 210, when audio player 200 is installed in receiving cup 160. Access panel 150 is illustrated in a closed configuration in FIG. 1. The panel can be peeled back to an open configuration using tab 152 when audio player 200 is installed, or simply by pressing outward from the inside of the receiving cup 160 when the audio player 200 is absent. Receiving cup 160 features an access port 168 (best shown in FIG. 3) that aligns with the access panel 150 to facilitate opening the access panel 150 in the absence of audio player 200, but primarily to facilitate access to the audio player controls when audio player 200 is installed.

Turning to FIG. 4, on its inside, access panel 150 features a seal extension 154 and two fastener plugs 156. The fastener plugs 156 correspond to receiving holes 181 formed in the outer casing 180 to secure the access panel 150 closed. The seal extension provides additional retention by seating up against a cutout 183 in the outer casing. At its lower end, the access panel 150 is jointed, and secured to the outer casing 180. The panel 150 may be rigid, such as plastic, or flexible, such as rubber.

Once the access panel is peeled back into an open configuration (FIG. 3), audio connection cable 134 and power connection cable 144 are revealed. These cables each feature plugs (audio plug 135 and power plug 145) that are configured to insert into audio player power input 205 and audio player audio output 210, respectively. The cables are each tethered permanently to the auxiliary unit 100, and extend down into an internal housing 182 where the power cable 144 connects to the rechargeable battery pack 142 and the audio cable 134 connects to a speaker assembly 132. The upper ends that feature the plugs are unfixed, and provide sufficient mobility to be manipulated into and out of the audio player 200 but have short enough cable lengths to secure within the outer casing 180 when access panel 150 is closed.

As shown, in operation, audio player 200 is positioned above receiving cup 160 so that its controls align with the access panel 150, and is lowered into the cup. Access panel 150 is peeled back and the plugs are inserted into the controls as indicated (audio plug 135 into audio output 210 and power plug 145 into power input 205). Then, access panel 150 is closed. At this point, provided the unit 100 is powered on and sufficiently charged, the audio player will receive auxiliary power from rechargeable battery pack 142 and will deliver audio signals through audio connection cable 135 to speaker assembly 132.

FIGS. 5-7 illustrate internal components of exemplary auxiliary unit 100. Specifically, the outer casing 180 has been pulled away to reveal an internal housing 182 that provides a support framework for internal components such as speaker assembly 132 and rechargeable battery pack 142. FIG. 5 shows a left side view of the unit 100, with the front side and its user interface 110 on the right and the speaker assembly 132 on the left. FIG. 6 shows a front view, directly facing user interface 110. The controls and cables are physically separated from the speaker assembly 132 and the rechargeable battery pack 142 by divider 190, which forms the front wall of internal housing 182. However, the power features are electrically connected to the battery pack 142, and the audio features are electrically connected to the speaker assembly 132, through a whole in divider 190 near its base.

FIG. 7 shows a rear view of the internal components, again with the outer casing 180 removed. This is the opposite side of the divider 190 from FIG. 6. Here, the speaker assembly 132 can be seen mounted in conjunction with the rechargeable battery pack 142. In this embodiment, the speaker assembly includes two separate drivers, but may be more or less complicated or powerful in other configurations. The rechargeable battery pack can be configured with an internal adaptor, or even a switch to step power to different output levels for different devices, as set by the user. Speaker volume is dictated by output level of the audio player 200, but the auxiliary unit may have separate volume controls in some configurations.

Accordingly, it should now be clear how the present invention enhances the performance, volume, sound quality, and playback time of a common mobile audio player. The invention allows for longer playback for a larger group of people for stored or streamed audio where line power is not available or easily accessible. The unit is mobile and lightweight, yet provides sufficient protection for the audio player. The access panel and cabling also provide for ease of access/hookup and disassembly of the audio player to the auxiliary unit.

It should be emphasized that the above-described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and particularly any “exemplary” embodiments, are possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many other variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments of the invention without substantially departing from the spirit and principles of the invention. All such modifications are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present invention and protected by the following claims. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A portable auxiliary unit for coupling with a mobile audio player, the auxiliary unit comprising: a rechargeable battery pack; a speaker assembly; an audio connection cable for connecting the speaker assembly to an audio plug; a power connection cable for connecting the rechargeable battery to a power plug; a receiving cup positioned over the rechargeable battery pack and speaker assembly, the receiving cup comprising a seat for a non-integral mobile audio player and a wall extending upward to at least partially encapsulate the mobile audio player when nestled in the receiving cup, wherein the wall has an access port through which the audio plug and the power plug can extend; and, an access panel having a closed position and an open position, wherein the audio plug and power plug are accessible from outside of the receiving cup when the access panel is in the open position.
 2. The portable auxiliary unit of claim 1, wherein the audio connection cable and the power connection cable are each permanently tethered to the portable auxiliary unit.
 3. The portable auxiliary unit of claim 1, further comprising an outer casing that encompasses the portable battery pack and the speaker assembly, and that supports the receiving cup.
 4. The portable auxiliary unit of claim 3, wherein the receiving cup further comprises a lip extending outward from an upper extremity of the wall, and wherein the lip extends over an upper extremity of the outer casing.
 5. The portable auxiliary unit of claim 3, wherein the outer casing comprises a sound-permeable fabric.
 6. The portable auxiliary unit of claim 1, wherein the access port of the receiving cup is aligned with the access panel to allow insertion of the audio plug into an audio output of the audio player and insertion of the power plug into a power input of the audio player, when the audio player is nestled in the receiving cup.
 7. The portable auxiliary unit of claim 1, further comprising a fixed audio input slot and a fixed power input slot located on an outside surface of the auxiliary unit and below the access panel.
 8. The portable auxiliary unit of claim 1, wherein the wall of the receiving cup is cylindrical and extends upward sufficiently far that an upper extremity of the wall is substantially flush with an upper surface of the audio player when the audio player is nestled in the receiving cup.
 9. The portable auxiliary unit of claim 1, wherein the access panel comprises an inner surface having a seal extension protruding inward toward a center of the auxiliary unit when the access panel is in the closed position, the seal extension extending around the perimeter of the access panel on at least three sides.
 10. The portable auxiliary unit of claim 9, wherein the access panel further comprises a plurality of male fastener plugs configured to seat into corresponding female housings formed in the wall of the receiving cup to secure the access panel in the closed position.
 11. The portable auxiliary unit of claim 10, wherein the access panel, the male fastener plugs and the seal extension are of unitary construction and are formed of a flexible polymer.
 12. The portable auxiliary unit of claim 1, further comprising an internal housing positioned below the receiving cup, the internal housing supporting the speaker assembly on one side and a user interface on the other side.
 13. A method for coupling a portable auxiliary unit to a mobile audio player, the method comprising the steps of: positioning the mobile audio player above a receiving cup of the portable auxiliary unit such that an input port of the portable auxiliary unit aligns with an access port of the receiving cup; lowering the mobile audio player into the receiving cup such that it comes to rest on a seat of the cup; opening an access panel of the portable auxiliary unit, wherein the access panel provides access to the access port of the receiving cup and at least a first cable, the first cable having a first end extending down into a lower housing of the portable auxiliary unit and a second, untethered end with a plug; inserting the plug into the input port of the mobile audio player; and closing the access panel to conceal the cable and plug from view.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first cable is a power cable, and wherein the first end of the first cable is connected to a battery pack of the portable auxiliary unit.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the access panel provides access to a second cable having a first end extending down into the lower housing of the portable auxiliary unit and a second, untethered end with a second plug.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of inserting the second plug into a second input port of the mobile audio player.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the second cable is an audio cable, and wherein the first end of the second cable is connected to a speaker assembly of the portable auxiliary unit.
 18. The method of claim 13, wherein the first cable is an audio cable, and wherein the first end of the first cable is connected to a speaker assembly of the portable auxiliary unit. 